Keir Starmer urges Labour MPs to back ‘unpopular’ plan to cut winter fuel allowance

PM refuses to say if MPs who rebel will be stripped of the whip - but makes clear he expects their support in key vote

Keir Starmer has urged Labour MPs to support his unpopular" plan to remove the winter fuel allowance for all but the poorest pensioners, saying the government could not run away from difficult choices.

Speaking in his first major TV interview since taking office, the prime minister also hinted at increased support for Ukraine, saying his visit to the White House next week to see President Biden would be focused on the strategic" situation there, and in the Middle East.